Ex-Gov. Ahmed’s trial continues over alleged N5.78b fraud

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his finance commissioner, Ademola Banu, continued on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. They are facing charges related to an alleged N5.78 billion fraud.

Barrister Lanre Daibu, the fourth prosecution witness, testified that Banu instructed the release of N1 billion from the 2013 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Matching Grant fund to pay state workers and pensioners in January 2015. Daibu, a former Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), confirmed that Banu made the request over the phone but was asked to formalize it in writing.

Daibu revealed that the approval for the loan came from the state governor and that he was initially reluctant to grant the request because UBEC funds were designated for specific purposes under the Action Plan.

Daibu also shared that he could not complete his tenure as SUBEB Chairman because the board was dissolved before its term ended. He confirmed that the loan was not repaid during his tenure.

During cross-examination, Daibu clarified that neither Ahmed nor Banu were signatories to the SUBEB account, adding that the Permanent Secretary and Director of Administration were the account signatories.

Benjamin Sehinde Fatigun, the fifth prosecution witness and a retired Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, testified that he received approval from then-Governor Ahmed for SUBEB to borrow N1 billion to address the salary shortfall for civil servants and retirees. The funds were later transferred to the state’s salary account.

Fatigun also explained that the state government’s financial difficulties prompted a letter to the governor to request support for the salary payments.

The case has been adjourned to Friday, April 11, 2025, for further hearing.